Window platform



I .5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H.x WERKE-[OVEN WINDOW PLATFORM Nav. 2,9; w55 f Filed March 2. 1953 Nov. 29, 1955 H, WERKHOVEN 2,725,262

WINDOW PLATFORM Filed March 2, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 zeik Nv. 29, 1955 H. wERKHovEN 2,725,262

y WINDOW PLATFORM Filed March 2. 1953 s sheets-sheet s United States Patent O WINDOW PLATFORM Harry Werkhoven, Chicago, Ill., assigner of one-half to John P. Werkhoven, Wilmette, 1li.

The present invention relates generally to scaffolds and more particularly to demountable platforms of the type intended to be placed through a Window opening from the inside of a building and to be supported on the sill and by the frame or casing of the window.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a window platform which is portable and readily manipulable so as to facilitate installation, which is of safe, sturdy, yet simple construction, and which permits of economical manufacture.

Another object lies in the provision of a window platform of sill-engaging means which is automatically positioned with respect to frame or casing-engaging means as the latter is adjusted to accommodate windows of various widths.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a window platform structure which is not only adjustable to accommodate windows of different widths, but which includes means for locking the structure in any position of adjustment against accidental dislodgment.

The objects of the invention thus generally set forth, together with other objects and ancillary advantages, are attained by the construction and arrangement shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a central vertical section through a window platform embodying the features of the present invention showing thevsame in place in a window opening.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the illustrative embodiment of the invention in installed condition.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially in the plane of line 3--3 in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the exemplary Window platform in folded condition and with the guard rail assembly removed.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the window platform as shown Ain Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the guard rail assembly in folded condition.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially in the plane of line 7-7 in Fig. 2.

While the invention is susceptible of Various modifications and alternative constructions, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that it is not thereby intended to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims,

As shown in the drawings, the instant invention is embodied in a window platform which is portable in character and is designed to be mounted in window or like openings of various sizes in a building wall to form a support scaffold for a workman cleaning, painting, making repairs, or the like.

Generally, the platform comprises a horizontal step or floor board 10 supported on two generally horizontal sup- Patented Nov. A29, 1955 ice l port arms 12 pivoted to the underside of the step at opposite ends thereof to extend through a window opening W for engagement with the face of the frame or casing F thereof or building wall surface adjacent the opening. The weight of the platform is adapted to be borne by two short feet 14 extending downwardly from the support arms 12 for engagement with the window sill S. Additionally, the platform is equipped with a guard rail assembly, generally designated 16, which includes a U- shaped hand rail 18 mounted in spaced relation above the step 10 by a pair of standards 20 carried by the step.

When the Window platform is to be carried from one window to another, the guard rail assembly 16 is removed and the support arms 12 are folded about their respective pivots into overlapping relation with respect to each other, thus reducing the overall size of the structure. To mount the platform for use on the outside of a Window, it is moved out through the window opening W with the guard rail assembly 16 removed and with the support arms 12 in folded or partially folded condition. The support arms are then swung outwardly, away from each other, into their positions for engagement with the window casing F at positions somewhat above the horizontal sill S. After the platform is initially set up in the window opening, the guard rail assembly 16 is then extended through the opening and mounted on the platform. f

Each of the support arms includes a central horizontal portion 12a terminating at one end in a vertical extension 12b which is rotatable within a sleeve 24 rigid with the step 16. In order to support the sleeve 24, and thereby support the step 10, on the support arms 12, a collar or shoulder 13 is formed on the lower end of the vertical extension 12b which is adapted to abut the lower end of the sleeve 24. Thus, when the extension 12b is inserted into the sleeve 24, the lower end thereof is supported on this shoulder 13. To retain the arm extension 12b within the sleeve 24, the extension is equipped at its upper end with a collar 26. The collar is fixed to the extension as by a set screw 26a and bears against the upper end of the sleeve. Adjacent the other end, each of the support arms inclines upwardly and terminates in a horizontal portion 12:,` turned laterally outward, which portion is adapted for engagement with the inner surface of the window casing F. For this purpose, rigid with the extremities of the outer portions 12e of the supportarms 12, are internally threaded collars 28 in which are received complementally-threaded shank portions 30a of casing-engaging feet 30. In addition to the threaded shank portions, each of the feet includes a resilient pad 32, which is preferably of hemispherical form for engagement with the window casing F so as to prevent marring thereof, and a finger-piece 34 by means of which the position of the foot 30 with respect to the arm 12 and its collar 28 can be adjusted. It will be seen that by such adjustment of the feet window frames or walls of different thicknesses can be accommodated and leveling of the window platform structure can be readily effected.

In carrying out one important aspect of the invention,

means is provided whereby the sill-engaging feet 14 are automatically positioned for engagement with the window sill S as an incident to lateral swinging movement of the plane parallel to that of the corresponding support arm'vv I2-and terminates at -its ends in vertically disposed sleeves 36b 4adapted -to receive pivot-pins 68 Sand Y39. The pivot pins are carried respectivelyfby the feet 14 and the step 10. Each of the pivot pins 39 is disposed forwardly of the corresponding pivotal connection `12b, `24 Jrior the corresponding-'support farm 512 'and extends downwardly parallel to the pivotal 5axis thereof. 'Referring'newl to Fig 7, ittca'n be seen ftha'teach -of the '-feet F14 includes across tting "40 having horizontal and vertical Abores therethrough. The pivot vpi-ns 53'8 yare respectively mounted lin the upper ends ofthe vertical bores yof the ii'ttings 4i?. Axiallyslidable within the horizontal lbores of the fittings 40 are the portions 12a of the support arms 12. For engagement with 'the window sill S each of the feet 14 preferably includes a roller "42 vwhfichis rotatably `supponted in the lower end of the vertical vbore of the-cross tti-ng 40. The roller 42 is `desirably provided with a ange '42a intermediate its ends. The upwardly projecting portion of 'the roller 42 Aextends into the `lower vertical-end of the cross aiitting 40, the latter "being 'supported on fthe Harige-42a when the ltoot 14 is positioned on the window sill S.

Means are desirably provided to prevent the loss of thel roller 42 when the window platform is being transported, such means being shown, for example, as an annular groove 43 adjacent the lower end of the roller 42 cooperating with a pin 43a projecting inwardly from the fitting 40. The hanged form of the members 42 is advantageous in that either the iiange or the downwardly projecting cylindrical portion `of -the roller can be used for supporting engagement with the sill S, and in the former lease lthe downwardly projecting cylindrical portion vserves as Ian inward movement limiting abutment for engagement with the outer face of the sill. While it is 'not necessary that Ithe members 42 be rotatably supported, to do so is desirable in fthat it permits them to roll 'along the sill as the positions lof the 'support arms 12 are ladjusted thereby facilitating the ladjustment of the device upon installation i-n a window opening.

Upon reference to the drawings and to Fig. 2 in particula'r, it will be seen that as the support arms 112 are `swung toward kand away -from eachother, by virtue of ithe sliding connections between the feet 14-'and the portions 12a of the ysupport arms, the positions of the feet are automatically adjusted by the links y36 so that lthe yflanged members 42 are automatically positioned for engagement with'the windowsill S. l-n other words, the length of lthe links 36 and the disposition of the pivotal connections thereof with .the-step 1'0 and with the feet v14 are such that the perpendicular distance between the axis of the feet 1-4 fand the axis of 4the 'supportlarm portions 12C is substantial-ly constant within the useful range of adjustment of the device. Minor variations in this length, -vas for example, variations in frame -a'nd wall thickness lor clisposition, can be readily accommodated 'by appropriate adjustment o'f the casing engaging feet -30 with 'respect to the lsnppo'rtarm iportions 12C.

'In carrying fout another aspect of the present invention, lmeans is provided whereby the instant window platform can be locked in yany -position of adjustment so as to prevent accidental dislodgment after `the device has been installed. VFor this purpose, 'means -is provided for locking the support arms in any position of adjustment. More particularly, means is provided for locking the pivotal connections 12b, 24 between the arms 12 and Vthe step inany desired position.

in the present instance, the gua-rd rail assembly 16 andthe support arm extension portions 12b -are adapted for this purpose. The lower ends -of the standards 20 are received in upwardly opening'sockets dehe'd by axial bores '44 extending 'through'the support arm lextensions 12b. Each ofthe bores 44 adjacent "its 'lo'wer' end is of tapered form v'having 'a 'sc'ju'are or otherwise polygonal cross section. For engagement therewith, there is provided a lockingmember 46 which is complementally 4 shaped with respect to the bore 44. The locking member depends trom-the `standard 20 of -t-he guard rail-assembly 16, being supported thereon by a locking sleeve 48. The lower end of the standard 20 and the upper end of the locking member 46 are of a frusto-conical form and adjacent their ends are reversely screw-threaded for cooperation with the complementally-threaded sleeve 48. Within the sleeve 48 and interposed *between the frusto-conical ends of the locking member 146 :and lthe standard 20 is a collar 50 having a bore 50a therethrough and the ends of which vare out\vardly"tlared. The oppositely flared bore Sila of the collar 5t) 'as shown provides surfaces complemental to lthe truste-'conical ends -of the flocking member 46 for engagement therewith.

From the foregoing -it jwill -be seen that'upon installation of the guard rail assembly 16 with the step 10, the lower nds of the locking members 46 are inserted in the upwardly opening sockets dened by the bores 44 in the support arm extensions 12b. Upon rotation of the lodking sleeve "48, the tapered lower `vend 'of the locking'member 46 is brought into `mating engagement with the complementally tapered portion Iof the bore l44 thus preventing further rotative movement of the locking member 46. Further rotation of the locking sleeve 48, by virtue of its threaded vengagement with the locking member 44 andthe standard 20 causes the two truste-conical ends thereof 'to be drawn together 'into gripping engagement withthe collar Si) thereby firmly securing the locking member with respect tothe standard. The foregoing is accomplished on each-side of the guardrail Vassembly and Jsince the 'two standards 20 are interconnected by means ofthe U-sha'pe'd guard rail '18, Vthe pivotal connections 12b, 24 vare locked' in position and there can be no relative movement between the arms V12 and the step 10. Thus, each ofthe support arms is prevented from -being swung inwardly until such time as the 'guard rail assembly 16 is removed, and therefore accidental ydislo'dgment ofthe device 'from installed position in a windowis prevented.

lI claim as `my invention:

l. A Vwindow platform for mounting in a window 'frame having a `casing and a sill, said 'platform comprising, in combination, a step, a pair of support arms each pivotally engaged at one end with said step for lateral swinging movement relative thereto, a casing-engaging `foot mounted on the otheren'dof `each of said arms, a sill-engaging foot slidably supported intermediate the ends of each of said arms, and a llink pivotally 'interconnected between each of said sill-engaging feet and said step for automatically shifting the Vposition of said sill-engaging `fe'et with respect to said arms upon lateral 'swinging movement of the latter.

'2. A platform for mounting in a window or like opening in a building wall comprising, in combination, a step,

f a pair of `support arms, a pivotal connection between one end of each of said arms and said step mounting said arms .for lateral swinging movement, the other `ends of said arms being adapted for engagement with -the building wall adjacent each side of the opening, a foot slidably 'supported intermediate the ends of each of said iarms yand adapted to engage .the building wall on the bottom of the opening, and means lfor sliding said feet along said .arms as an Yincident to swinging movement of the latter.

.3. A platform for mounting in Va window or like opening in `a building'wall comprising, Ain combination, atstep, a `pair of support arms, a'pivotal connection between one end of each ofl said arms fand said step mounting said arms for lateral swinging movement, the other'ends 'o'f t said arms being adapted lfor engagement with the `building wall adjacent yeach side of the opening, a foots'lidably supported intermediate rthe ends of eachY of said arms and adapted "to engage 4the building wall on the bottom of th'e opening, "a pair of links, and pivotal connections 'between the ends yof said links and said step and between l'the other ends of said links and said Afeet whereby .said feet .are

automatically positioned with respect to said arms as an incident to swinging movement of the latter.

4. A platform for mounting in a window or like opening in a building wall comprising, in combination, a step, a pair of support arms, a pivotal connection between one end of each of said arms and said step mounting Said arms for lateral swinging movement, the other ends of said arms being adapted for engagement with the building wall adjacent each side of the opening, a foot slidably supported intermediate the ends of each of said arms and adapted to engage the building wall on the bottom o the opening, means for sliding said feet along said arms aS an incident to swinging movement of the latter, and means for locking said pivotal connections in any position of adjustment of said arms with respect to said step.

5 A platform for mounting in a window or like opening in a building wall comprising, in combination, a step, a pair of support arms each having an angularly disposed end poltion, means rigid with said step for receiving said arm end portions to define a pivotal connection between each of said arms and said step mounting said arms for lateral swinging movement, the other ends of said arms being adapted for engagement with the building Wall on the sides of the opening, a foot slidably supported intermediate the ends of each of said arms and adapted to engage the building wall on the bottom of the Opening, means for sliding said feet along said arms as an incident to swinging movement of the latter, a guard rail assembly including a rail and a pair of standards mounting said rail in spaced relation above said step, and means interposed between said guard rail assembly and said support arm end portions for locking said pivotal connections in any position of adjustment of said arms with respect to said step.

6. A platform for mounting in a window or like opening in a building wall comprising, in combination, a step, a pair of support arms each having an angularly disposed end portion, a pair of sleeves rigid with said step for receiving said arm end portions to define a pivotal connection between each of said arms and said step mounting said arms for lateral swinging movement, said arm end portions having bores therein defining sockets, the other ends of said arms being adapted for engagement with the building wall adjacent each side of the opening, a foot slidably supported intermediate the ends of each of said arms and adapted to engage the building wall on the bottom of the opening, means for sliding said feet along said arms as an incident to swinging movement of the latter, and a guard rail assembly including standards adapted for reception in said sockets.

7. A platform for mounting in a window or like opening in a building wall comprising, in combination, a step, a pair of support arms having angularly disposed end portions, sleeves rigid with said step and journaling said arm end portions so as to deine pivotal connections between said arms and said step mounting said arms for lateral swinging movement, the other ends of said arms being adapted for engagement with the building wall on the sides ofthe opening, a foot slidably supported intermediate the ends of each of said arms and adapted to engage the building wall on the bottom of the opening, means for sliding said feet along said arms as an incident to swinging movement of the latter, and means for locking said pivotal connections in any position of adjustment of said arms with respect to said step including a member nonrotatably engageable with each of said arm end portions.

References Cited inthe iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 478,177 Thomson July 5, 1892 565,764 Lynch Aug. 1l, 1896 678,115 Guenther July 9, 1901 841,676 Earl Jan. 22, 1907 1,332,452 Wilbur Mar. 2, 1920 1,625,423 Peckenpaugh Apr. 19, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS 210,282 Germany June 10, 1909 

